National Tight Ends Day was coined by Jimmy Garoppolo, the quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers. The concept originated during a game on September 16, 2018, when Garoppolo threw a touchdown pass to tight end Garrett Celek. After the play, he jokingly remarked on the sideline, “What is today, national tight ends day?” This light-hearted comment sparked enthusiasm among teammates, particularly tight end George Kittle, who embraced the idea and promoted it within the team.
The NFL officially recognized National Tight Ends Day, celebrating it on the fourth Sunday of October starting in 2019. Kittle has since been a prominent advocate for the day, emphasizing the importance of recognizing tight ends and their contributions to the game.
Yesterday, in celebration of National Tight End Day, NFL tight ends delivered remarkable performances, setting records and showcasing their skills across the league. Here are some highlights:
Record-Breaking Touchdowns: A total of 16 touchdowns were scored by tight ends, marking the highest number of touchdowns recorded on this special day since its inception in 2018. Additionally, tight ends achieved 177 receptions, another record for a single day.
Standout Performers:
- Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs): Kelce had a stellar game with 10 receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown, contributing significantly to the Chiefs’ victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
- Kyle Pitts (Atlanta Falcons): Pitts also shone brightly, catching four passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns in a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Cade Otton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Otton emerged as a key player, recording nine receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns, marking a career-best performance.
- Trey McBride (Arizona Cardinals): McBride was notable for his impressive stats, finishing with eight receptions for 124 yards, although he did not score a touchdown.
- Other tight ends like Mike Gesicki and Zach Ertz also had strong outings, with Gesicki making seven catches for 73 yards and Ertz securing six receptions for 66 yards.
- Additional Highlights: The day featured multiple games where tight ends scored touchdowns, including notable performances from Sam LaPorta and George Kittle, who each contributed to their teams’ successes with crucial catches.
Overall, National Tight End Day was a resounding success, showcasing the talent and importance of tight ends in the NFL.